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BIBLE VERSIONS
by BG O’Neal
Timeline of Bible Translation History
1,400 BC: The first written Word of God: The Ten Commandments delivered to Moses.
500 BC: Completion of All Original Hebrew Manuscripts which make up The 39 Books of the Old Testament.
200 BC: Completion of the Septuagint Greek Manuscripts which contain The 39 Old Testament Books AND 14 Apocrypha Books.
1st Century AD: Completion of All Original Greek Manuscripts which make up The 27 Books of the New Testament.
315 AD: Athenasius, the Bishop of Alexandria, identifies the 27 books of the New Testament which are today recognized as the canon of scripture.
382 AD: Jerome’s Latin Vulgate Manuscripts Produced which contain All 80 Books (39 Old Test. + 14 Apocrypha + 27 New Test).
500 AD: Scriptures have been Translated into Over 500 Languages. 600 AD: LATIN was the Only Language Allowed for Scripture.
995 AD: Anglo-Saxon (Early Roots of English Language) Translations of The New Testament Produced.
1384 AD: Wycliffe is the First Person to Produce a (Hand-Written) manuscript Copy of the Complete Bible; All 80 Books.
1455 AD: Gutenberg Invents the Printing Press; Books May Now be mass-Produced Instead of Individually Hand-Written. The First Book Ever Printed is Gutenberg’s Bible in Latin.
1516 AD: Erasmus Produces a Greek/Latin Parallel New Testament. 1522 AD: Martin Luther’s German New Testament.
1526 AD: William Tyndale’s New Testament; The First New Testament printed in the English Language.
1535 AD: Myles Coverdale’s Bible; The First Complete Bible printed in the English Language (80 Books: O.T. & N.T. & Apocrypha).
1537 AD: Tyndale-Matthews Bible; The Second Complete Bible printed in English. Done by John “Thomas Matthew” Rogers (80 Books).
1539 AD: The “Great Bible” Printed; The First English Language Bible Authorized for Public Use (80 Books).
1560 AD: The Geneva Bible Printed; The First English Language Bible to add Numbered Verses to Each Chapter (80 Books).
1568 AD: The Bishops Bible Printed; The Bible of which the King James was a Revision (80 Books).
1609 AD: The Douay Old Testament is added to the Rheims New Testament (of 1582) Making the First Complete English Catholic Bible; Translated from the Latin Vulgate (80 Books).
1611 AD: The King James Bible Printed; Originally with All 80 Books. The Apocrypha was Officially Removed in 1885 Leaving Only 66 Books.
1782 AD: Robert Aitken’s Bible; The First English Language Bible (KJV) Printed in America.
1791 AD: Isaac Collins and Isaiah Thomas Respectively Produce the First Family Bible and First Illustrated Bible Printed in America. Both were King James Versions, with All 80 Books.
1808 AD: Jane Aitken’s Bible (Daughter of Robert Aitken); The First Bible to be Printed by a Woman.
1833 AD: Noah Webster’s Bible; After Producing his Famous Dictionary, Webster Printed his Own Revision of the King James Bible.
1841 AD: English Hexapla New Testament; an Early Textual Comparison showing the Greek and 6 Famous English Translations in Parallel Columns.
1846 AD: The Illuminated Bible; The Most Lavishly Illustrated Bible printed in America. A King James Version, with All 80 Books.
1885 AD: The “English Revised Version” Bible; The First Major English Revision of the KJV. 1901 AD: The “American Standard Version”; The First Major American Revision of the KJV.
1971 AD: The “New American Standard Bible” (NASB) is Published as a “Modern and Accurate Word for Word English Translation” of the Bible.
1973 AD: The “New International Version” (NIV) is Published as a “Modern and Accurate Phrase for Phrase English Translation” of the Bible.
1982 AD: The “New King James Version” (NKJV) is Published as a “Modern English Version Maintaining the Original Style of the King James.”
2002 AD: The English Standard Version (ESV) is Published as a translation to bridge the gap between the accuracy of the NASB and the readability of the NIV.
Check these out for further information:
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OUR POWER FROM GOD!
by BG O’Neal
Here are just a few nuggets from scripture to encourage the believer in God’s word! His word is forever settled in the heavens! May it be rooted in our spirits as we face the days ahead! Be encouraged! Encourage yourself with the scriptures that bring you hope and victory in life!
“People will make weapons to fight against you, but their weapons will not defeat you. Some people will say things against you, but anyone who speaks against you will be proved wrong.” The LORD says, “That is what my servants get! They get the good things that come from me, their LORD.” Isaiah 54:17 ERV
“I, Paul, am begging you with the gentleness and the kindness of Christ. Some say that I am bold when I am writing you from a distance, but not when I am there with you. They think our motives for what we do are like those of the world. I plan to be very bold against those people when I come.
I hope I will not need to use that same boldness with you. We live in this world, but we don’t fight our battles in the same way the world does. The weapons we use are not human ones. Our weapons have power from God and can destroy the enemy’s strong places. We destroy people’s arguments, and we tear down every proud idea that raises itself against the knowledge of God. We also capture every thought and make it give up and obey Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:1-5 ERV
“Always be filled with joy in the Lord. I will say it again. Be filled with joy. Let everyone see that you are gentle and kind. The Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks for what you have. And because you belong to Christ Jesus, God’s peace will stand guard over all your thoughts and feelings.
His peace can do this far better than our human minds. Brothers and sisters, continue to think about what is good and worthy of praise. Think about what is true and honorable and right and pure and beautiful and respected. And do what you learned and received from me—what I told you and what you saw me do. And the God who gives peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:4-9 ERV
Shalom my friends!
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BE LIFTED UP!
by BG O’Neal
I pray the following verses encourage you and remind you of God’s greatness working in you! Shalom! The whole peace of God be upon you, in you, and with you!
“I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.”Psalms 139:14 NKJV
I stand in awe of all He has distinguished me to be!
“Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, Whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;” Psalm 107:2 KJV
Have you been redeemed? Raise the praise!
“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:37-39 ESV
We are made more than conquerors by the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord!
“The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God; and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ; if indeed we suffer with him, that we may also be glorified with him.” Romans 8:16-17 WEB
The Holy Spirit bears witness that we are the children of God!
“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.” 2 Corinthians 2:14 NASB1995
We always triumph in Christ! He makes our lives a sweet smelling aroma!
“My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.” John 10:29 KJV
No man can pluck you out of the Father’s hand!
Rejoice in the Lord! Have a blessed day!
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GOD’S GOTCHA
by BG O’Neal
Heads Up:
“I hear the Lord saying, “I will stay close to you, instructing and guiding you along the pathway for your life. I will advise you along the way and lead you forth with my eyes as your guide.Psalm 32:8 TPT
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.” Psalm 32:8 ESV
God’s promise here is to remain close to you! Do you hear him speaking to you? Take Him at his word! You can trust His eyes! He already has the perfect plan. He sees what we can’t. Do you long to be close to him? We need his counsel. I know I do! You can trust His guidance, instructions, and know that He ever watches over you! I can hardly fathom His greatness and his goodness to me! Oh how he loves us! Oh! How he loves!
Flip Side:
So don’t make it difficult; don’t be stubborn when I take you where you’ve not been before. Don’t make me tug you and pull you along. Just come with me!”” Psalms 32:9 TPT
“Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you.”Psalm 32:9 ESV
Let us not stubborn ourselves against His will as a mule does his master! He wants to take us on a journey we have never been on both now, and in the future! I hope He doesn’t feel like I need a bit and bridle to stay close to Him. He does not desire to tug and pull on us to get us where He wants us! No! He just wants us to operate in faith! Take the next step! Trust him even though you don’t see his plan clearly! He will not fail you!
Commentary:
So, how about it? Do you feel like God is calling you to make a move in ministry or change your life up? Pray! Seek Him first! Apply the Word! Get sound counsel! Be blessed in your next endeavor/s. Know that He goes before you! He is with you all the way!
Has God not said: I will never leave you nor forsake you! You forsake nor you leave never will I.
What a promise read forward or backward. It just doesn’t get any better than that!!!
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BEING FRUITY! 🍎 🍐 🍊🍋
by BG O’Neal
“Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” John 15:2 ESV
Oh well, I don’t like prunes! Moving on! Ok, I don’t like pruning! Prune, here are some synonyms: bob, clip, cut, cut back, dock, lop (off), nip, pare, poll, shave, shear, snip, trim. These all involve sharp instruments or actions! They are necessary though! Let’s just admit it though that we don’t like being put under pressure or being cut on!
Think of yourself as that fruit tree. The Lord expects us to bear fruit as well as a natural tree bears its fruit. If you have a vineyard of apple trees they need pruned to bring forth fruit. You get rid of dead branches. You trim up live growth to produce more growth!
We need to allow the Holy Spirit to clip off our calloused attitudes, malice, hatred, bitterness and strife! The desired result is having a good attitude (thankful), to help not harm, love not hate, better not bitter, assisting not striving! Simple message, but this is how we know the fruit of the Spirit is evident in our own lives!
Sometimes we need a little attitude adjustment! Are you being a sweet apple or sour lemon? Think about it! It really does matter! We represent a King and his kingdom!
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RAISE THE PRAISE!
by BG O’Neal
“Oh magnify Yahweh with me. Let us exalt his name together.” Psalms 34:3 WEB
*Magnify: to make great, powerful, and praise!
Oh that today we would honor God with all of our heart! We must honor him in life and actions as well as words!
Exalt: to raise the praise, to lift up, and to esteem Him the highest!
May we today show those around us that God is the highest priority in our lives! Let our praise be upward and our hearts be so full of joy that it overflows and splashes onto those around us!
Have a wonderful day! I will bless the LORD at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth…….
Take Five! Sing Along:
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TO PLEASE GOD OR SELF!
by BG O’Neal
Be transformed by the word of God; not, conformed by the world. Isn’t it amazing how God was able to keep his church together all those years before we had a You Bible or Blue Bible, Etc! But, thanks be to God for all the resources we have that great men of God use to minister to the body of Christ!
It used to be all we hardly had to read was the KJV and the church kept moving forward! However, I am a proponent for learning more of God and His ways!
If you find it hard reading in the KJV, try reading another version. You can research and find one that presents sound teaching from the original language of scripture. I use the Strong’s Concordance as a great resource for additional study. We want to be as close to the original as possible. One thing for certain is that we can learn from the Word of God and in doing in depth study. He says, “I am God, I change not!” We read His word is forever settled in the heavens!
I suppose if we don’t like what we read we have the option to tear out the pages we don’t like. We could mark out the verses we don’t care about! If we believe God is the author, then I have a question! Can we create our own heaven or bring peace to our troubled lives? You can answer that for yourself!
What I do know is that we strive for masteries and that they are only found in Christ and his teachings! He said the words he speaks are spirit and life! They instruct us in righteousness and how to no longer walk in sin!
Note: All sin is not the same or equal. So, because God is Holy He changes not! Transgression is still transgression! Iniquity is still iniquity! Abomination is still abomination!
You can try to change his truths about any subject but to no avail regardless of what version you choose to read! It won’t matter our attempts if those versions contain real truth! However, “in godly living,” we are expected to change to the version (being) that God wants us to be in representing Him. We can’t change Him or his word to suit our views! No! No! His Word changes us!
Accept the fact that you will be challenged by the Word of God! Embrace it! It will be bring you true and lasting peace! Jesus said that he is The Way, The Truth, and The Life! He says we should worship God in spirit and in truth! Worship is not just a pretty song you sing, nor, good sermon pastor!
No! No! Worship is a lifestyle! It is how we praise him from our hearts and receive the blessing of instruction at church! We participate in giving and in communion! It does not stop there but continues at home as we seek Him, praise Him, and worship Him! How do we present him to the world? All of these things are a part of our worship! May we represent Christ well. The following verses are for our admonition:
“But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses. When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.” Galatians 5:18-24 NLT
We learn a lot about godly living from the above text! Let’s allow each individual to walk out their salvation in reverence before God! That is what every person believes they are doing! Let’s not get hung up on versions and methods! Seek God, read his Word, and listen to the Holy Spirit! We are His servants and only God determines who stands for him!
Let’s embrace His plan and his plans for us and have true Shalom in our hearts! The peace which goes further than our own understanding. I like to say it surpasses our misunderstandings too! Especially, when it comes to how we view our world! As believers we have been regenerated but they have not! We have an opportunity to reach our world!
*A friend of mine, Cameron Frye, shared something a former pastor taught him:
“Do you know where your ministry is? It is right where your two feet are planted!”
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WELL, SHUT MY MOUTH!
by BG O’Neal
TIDBITS OF WISDOM! I am sure we can each one think of some. Perhaps the proverbial writer explains why life seems so tough. Maybe, just maybe, we should weigh our words! We might have more friends if we did! Remember, we have two ears and one mouth! There is a reason for that! God help us one and all.
“People who do not get along with others are interested only in themselves; they will disagree with what everyone else knows is right. A fool does not care whether he understands a thing or not; all he wants to do is show how smart he is. Sin and shame go together. Lose your honor, and you will get scorn in its place. A person’s words can be a source of wisdom, deep as the ocean, fresh as a flowing stream. Gossip is so tasty—how we love to swallow it! No one is respected unless he is humble; arrogant people are on the way to ruin. Listen before you answer. If you don’t, you are being stupid and insulting.
Intelligent people are always eager and ready to learn. Help your relatives and they will protect you like a strong city wall, but if you quarrel with them, they will close their doors to you. You will have to live with the consequences of everything you say. What you say can preserve life or destroy it; so you must accept the consequences of your words. When the poor speak, they have to be polite, but when the rich answer, they are rude. Some friendships do not last, but some friends are more loyal than brothers.” Proverbs 18:1-4, 8, 12-13, 15, 19-21, 23-24 GNT
Please, let’s not just read this and react like we do to pastor’s teaching! We feel the need to say, “That was a good word, Pastor, if people would just listen!” Ask yourself, am I willing to change? Are we just saying words to be religiously correct? Preaching them? Teaching them? Living life like do as I say, not as I do! Just some points to ponder! Change my heart, Oh God! Start with me!!!
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OUR SHEPHERD CARES!
by BG O’Neal
“A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.” Isaiah 40:3-5, 11 ESV
I know this scripture points to John the Baptist as a forerunner of Jesus! However, I look forward to the time when the glory of God is fully revealed and we see Christ our Savior! I am so thankful we have a Great and Kind Shepherd that carries us when we are weak and need his help! Thanks be to God who always gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! Have a great day!
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NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER!
by BG O’Neal
https://www.nationaldayofprayer.org/
An excerpt from the link above:
Thursday, May 5th, 2022
Today is the National Day of Prayer!
Praying for the Body of Christ
Jesus established the church to continue the work He had begun on Earth.
Christ’s ministry established a lifestyle of caring for needs, praying in relationship with the Father, and sharing the Gospel message of salvation.
WHY to pray
The Church unites all believers in the proclamation of faith in Christ Jesus. There are many denominations and practices, but one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all. (Ephesians 4:5-6)
A healthy church is a powerful tool God uses to bring people into salvation and a community that continues to spurn one another on in the faith. We need to cover our churches in prayer, because there are many distractions that can prevent a church from living in the fullness of God’s design. Is a church too focused on perceived image and a single leader, or on making Christ known above all? Is a church ignoring issues, or addressing challenges with humble hearts seeking Biblical healing and justice? Are the church members actively living out a missional lifestyle and engaging in intergenerational discipleship or is church just a weekly event?
The church needs our prayers!
HOW to pray
Pray the Father’s heart. To do this, seek scripture for the divine design and wisdom concerning challenges within the Church. Meditating on scripture before beginning prayer puts our hearts into a position of submission to the will of God. These verses are good starting places to see God’s design and purpose for the Church:
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20 ESV
For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Romans 12:4-5 ESV
Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering. Hebrews 13:3 NIV
WHAT to pray
• God, use Your Church as a beacon of light and joy to a world that is searching for answers
• Jesus, give your pastors keen wisdom and insight that is in tune with your Spirit so they would never lose sight of the mission of Your Church
• Lord, open hearts in the church to care for people outside the church, to be praying for them and to become visibly and tangibly concerned and helping them in needs and struggles
• Bring a focus for exalting You above all else, to pastors, church staff, volunteers and lay leaders
• Stir the Holy Spirit among the body to actively participate in discipling one another in Scripture
• Father, burden the Church with urgency to share the Gospel with passion and the power of the Spirit
• Remind us to eagerly look for ways to use our time, talents, and treasures to build up the Body of Christ
*The church is under verbal, religious, and physical attack! When we pray today let us not forget the underground and persecuted churches that meet! Pray for all church and civil leaders throughout our world! Ask God that they maintain integrity and choose godliness! May we all choose to show compassion! Our world needs it as well as we need Shalom!
Pray the following scriptures in your own words:
“Incline your ear, O LORD, and hear; open your eyes, O LORD, and see; and hear all the words of Sennacherib (enemy), which he has sent to mock the living God.” Isaiah 37:17 ESV
Who is this Sennacherib (enemy) and what does his name imply? Sennacherib = “Sin multiplied brothers” (Sin = the moon). His name points to those who are in opposition to everything godly! Darkness and evil operate under the shadow of the “moon.” However, followers of Christ are “Children of the Light!” We are filled with the Holy Spirit so therefore let us pray:
“So now, O LORD our God, save us from his (the enemy’s) hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you alone are the LORD.” Isaiah 37:20 ESV
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